M&M Video Games, an 80,000-square-foot game shop and arcade

M&M Video Games is paradise. Period. The shop fits 25,000+ games inside its 80,000-square-foot warehouse. Residents bring in new titles all the time, too, so the available titles are in constant rotation. Fingers are crossed for Conker’s Bad Fur Day (because N64 is the best system ever).

Located at 3110 44th Avenue North, this locally owned entertainment palace suits gamers young and old. Need Atari titles? They got them. Craving the glory of a classic N64 cartridge? You’ll have your pick of games. On the hunt for obscure Japanese titles? There is a wide selection of games shipped over on a rotating basis.

Owners and lifelong friends Gregg Lonkey and Patrick Kearsley opened the first M&M Video Games 6 years ago. They originally operated out of much smaller spaces along Central Avenue. As M&M Video Games’ popularity grew, so did the need for expansion.

It’s more than a store. M&M is something of an arena for gamers of all experience levels. If you’re less interested in tournaments, and more interested in freeplay on retro and modern systems, then you need to visit their arcade.

Super Nintendo, Xbox, PS2, N64, and more consoles are available with a wide variety of games. We’re talking about Super Mario, Sonic the Hedgehog, Smash Bros., heck, even the Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers game is available.

Vintage racing, fighting, and addictive adventure platformers are also available to play. You could lose yourself for an entire afternoon, and since it seems like no one told summer that it’s fall, we’re looking for any excuse to enjoy some AC.

The arcade costs just $5 for an entire day of free play. They also offer free play from 7-10pm on Saturday nights.

What makes M&M Video Games unique is the in-house repair shop. Literally, you bring in an electronic and the employees at M&M Video Games will figure out how to fix it. This includes anything from old systems and stereos, to light up Christmas sweaters.

It’s a locally grown concept that serves as an enormous love letter to the art, craft, and joy of gaming. Follow M&M Video Games on Facebook for updates on tournaments and events.